Letter from the Head - February 2010

Dear Parents

In the week before half term we were visited by a member of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate who carried out a subject inspection of the English Department on behalf of Ofsted. On the Monday and Tuesday the inspector studied quantities of data, perused schemes of work, observed lessons and talked to students from year 7 through to the Sixth Form. His final report has not yet been published so I am not able to give you full details of his findings. However, if I remind you that in our Science subject report in 2007 we were judged to be ‘Outstanding’, and our full school inspection last year also concluded that we had many ‘Outstanding’ aspects, I am sure that you will understand that we are optimistic about the outcome! Needless to say copies of the report will be made available as soon as it is published.

The success of the English department is clear from the excellent results that have been achieved by the girls at all levels; our Year 11, 12 and 13 students are now really focussing on their revision in order that they will gain the best possible results in all their summer examinations, with
Year 10s also taking a number of papers, starting with their Science modules next week. A GCSE timetable for the summer term is included in this newsletter for Year 10 and 11 girls. It therefore seems an opportune time to let parents know that revision sessions are taking place at lunchtimes
and after school in subject areas. We will also be running revision classes during the Easter break and timetables of these will be published shortly. Could I urge you to encourage your daughters to sign up as soon as possible as places will be limited in some of the classes. Equally, we will only run classes if students have expressed an interest. It was clear last year when we analysed the examination results that attending the sessions really did make a difference to girls’ final grades. I would like to thank the teachers who give up their time to prepare for and run the sessions.

Thanks are also due to girls who have presented assemblies recently: students from different year groups and divisions shared aspects of the Islamic Culture and 8CRu gave a very informative presentation and role play about Globalisation and child labour. In Ranelagh assemblies 10RBa have reminded girls about the importance of esafety, and 11RJp reinforced the importance of all students following school rules, being punctual and having excellent attendance. Well done to all involved!

Recent visitors to the school will have noticed that our electronic gates are now in operation during the school day – please park outside the school and use the intercom at the pedestrian gate to contact the office on your arrival. We are also beginning preparations for the building of our new Library and Learning Resource Area so entrance onto the site is very restricted. Again, I would request that you do not drive into the school grounds when dropping off or collecting your daughter. We will publish pictures of the ongoing building project in future newsletters.

Finally, the next few weeks are very important for both our Year 8 and our Year 9 students who will be choosing their options for next year. I look forward to meeting parents at the Year 9 Parents Evening on 4 th March and their Options Evening on 18 th March and Year 8s at their Parents Evening on 11 th March followed by their Option Evening on 25 th March.

C Sydenham
Head

P.S. The full letter from the Head can be found by following the link to this February ’s newsletter.